Truly Keen on Green
Michelle Bong, Today Online 6 Mar 08;
YOU wouldn't look twice if you see Tom Keaveny cycling along East Coast Park or jogging on the streets in training for the yearly Standard Chartered Marathon. He would just be another tall, broad-shouldered "ang moh" enjoying some weekend R&R.
But the native of Birmingham, UK, and father of two has an important agenda when the T-shirt and shorts are replaced by office attire. Green could very well be Keaveny's favourite colour. Based here as the executive vice-president and managing director of Discovery Networks Asia, he not only makes personal efforts to reduce carbon emissions — both he and his wife drive hybrid cars — he hopes to use the station as a springboard to help create awareness for the environment.
The station recently launched bi-monthly Discovery Channel Magazine in a collaboration with Reader's Digest Asia. More than just providing listings for upcoming programmes, it celebrates the wonders of planet Earth and the lifestyles of its occupants.
In its inaugural issue, it features Kazakhstan's futuristic tent city Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre, an analysis on the exploration of Iceland's Langjökull Glacier and the survival of animals among the towering sand dunes of Namib, the world's oldest desert.
Come April 16, Discovery Channel will launch an initial weekly one-hour block called Planet Green, with a programme highlight being Eco-Town — a 13-part series executive-produced by actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio that charts the rebuilding of a mid-western farm town of Greensburg, Kansas, into a green model of the future.
How do you enjoy the great outdoors, Singapore-style?
I cycle at both East Coast Park and the West Coast area, and I like to run. I've been in the Standard Chartered marathons this and last year. And of course, I enjoy the great outdoors watching Discovery programmes!
How do you think the channel's additional offering, Planet Green, will fare?
We want to offer entertaining and creative stories that relate to the audience. Environmental issues are now at the forefront of consumer consciousness throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and we are positioned to help lead this effort. The programmes aren't aimed to lecture about the climate or about doom and gloom. They are opportunities to provide entertainment and help viewers make a difference.
Between you and Leonardo DiCaprio, who's doing more to save the world?
I'd like to think of it as a great partnership (laughs). But seriously, saving the planet isn't the responsibility of one individual or one company. It's a global issue that warrants a global solution.
So, what do you personally do, as a global citizen?
I have been driving a Honda Civic Hybrid for some time now, and my wife drives a Toyota Prius. Through the company, I've been involved in several efforts: Discovery Networks Asia went fully tapeless (digital) in July 2005, and has been working with the Singapore Recycling Centre for the last eight years to collect paper, bottles and containers weekly for recycling. Our name cards are printed on recycled paper, and we stress heavily on double-printing in the office.
We are also committed to responsible operations in Asia by lessening the environmental impact through energy efficiency and the reduction of carbon emissions in our office by working with Carbonfund.org to be carbon neutral. We also work with partners in Asia including non-profit Bangkok-based UK organisation Plant A Tree Today.
Outside of his office, what's the simplest environment-related thing the man on the street can do to make a difference?
There are lots, from saving electricity to using the recycling bins provided all over Singapore. It's about giving something a degree of thought and making a simple decision to follow through. Choose one small act that's best for you, and do it.
Recycling, using less electricity, carpooling — we've heard it all before. Cynics complain that all this green talk is on overkill mode. What do you say to that?
I hope they will only say that years down the road, after seeing that changes have been made. For now, I'd rather reinforce the message that we need to do something.
But it's good to know ... people are becoming more aware of these issues. Sales of hybrid vehicles are going up, for one. And I see Singaporeans making informed decisions like shopping for organic produce. Saving the planet is not going to go out of fashion anytime soon.
If you had a drink with Nobel Prize winner Al Gore some day, what would you two talk about?
I'd be interested to know if he feels vindicated and justified to have gone out on a limb (to lead the green movement). I'd also want to find out how he keeps himself motivated, what keeps the momentum going in his efforts to save the planet and what it's like to run for political elections. I'd be there for days with him!
